Wanu tables Education draft budget for 2026/27

DODOMA: Deputy Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Ms Wanu Hafidhi Ameir, has tabled the draft budget estimates for the 2026/27 financial year, paving the way for the Minister, Professor Adolf Mkenda, to present the official budget speech on Thursday before seeking the National Assembly’s approval.

Ms Ameir presented the document in the National Assembly in Dodoma on Wednesday (May 6, 2026), ahead of the Questions and Answers session and other parliamentary business.

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The presentation marks an initial step toward the Ministry’s official budget speech, during which the direction of the education sector for the upcoming financial year will be outlined.

In the outgoing 2025/26 financial year, the Ministry requested and secured approval for a total of 2.44tri/- to implement its key priorities.

The budget focused on improving education infrastructure, enhancing the quality of teaching, and strengthening research and innovation.

 In effort to bolster education sector, the Higher Education Students’ Loans Board (HESLB) has disbursed a record 3.6tri/- in loans to eligible students across Tanzania for the past five years.

HESLB Chief Executive Officer, Dr Bill Kiwia, announced this recently while opening a working meeting between the Board’s management and over 310 donor institutions and organizations supporting students nationwide.

The event was held at Nelson Mandela University in Arusha and attended by 160 participants. Dr Kiwia described the amount as unprecedented since the Board’s inception.

He credited President Samia’s efforts in promoting higher education, noting that these initiatives aim to produce skilled professionals who can drive national development and economic growth.

“The number of students receiving HESLB loans has steadily increased year by year. Between 2021/22 and 2025/26, both loans and beneficiaries have grown significantly, ensuring that Tanzania will soon have enough qualified professionals with the skills needed to boost the economy,” Dr Kiwia said.